Folder



I Aug. 23, 1938. G. H. SCHMIDT T AL FOLDER Filed Feb. 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y H SCHMIDT AND HERBERTGBEHRENS II. I

6f GODFRE Aug. 23, 1938. G. H. SCHMIDT ET AL 2,128,167

FOLDER Filed Feb. 2'7, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .GOQEREY H.-5CHNIDT 1 HERBERTCJBEHRENS Patented Aug. 23, 1938 V 1 1 UNITED *1 Godfrey, H. Schmidt and Herbert o. Behrens,

Battle Creek, Mieln, assignors to Duplex Printing PresslOompany, Battle Creek, Mich, a corpolfafi li of M e i :"Application February '27, 1937, Serial No. 128,259

' .ze'claim g. (01. 270-71) This invention is a novel improvement in paper folding machines employed-"in connection-with newspaper printing presses to fold the papers at high speed. i

The principal objectsof our-invention are (1) to provide a folding machine having fewer parts than the folders now in use without impairing its speed; (2) to enable accurate half page folds to be made in the papers at allspeeds of the 1 press; (3) to eliminate the" objectionable pin holes near the ends'of the sheet,which are produced in the present used high speed folders in which pins are employed to hold the sheets on the female cutting cylinder;-(4) to produce a folder more compact and of less height than the folders now in use; also (5) to simplify :the delivery of the folded sheets, and to deliver them folded edge foremost. I l In the accompanying drawings we have illusour invention, and an understanding thereof will enable others to adopt and use the invention. We will explain the'invention with reference to said drawings, and summarize in the claims the essentials of the invention, andthe novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:--

Fig. Us a side elevation of our folder; 1

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking at the delivery end.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section illustrating the web grippers on the sides of the female cutting cylinder. 1 v

. Fig. 5 is a reduced plan view showing the folding. clamping jaws and their cam operating means.

The folder illustrated includes apair of folding or pinch rolls I and la, mounted in side frames 20, between which rolls: the longitudinally folded webs pass from the usual former F, the webs being assembled over the :guide G at the top of the former'F in the usualmanner.

Adjacent the roll la'is a male cutting cylinder 2 having a knife 2a which cooperates with a relatively larger female cutting cylinder} ar ranged below the cylinder 2, and provided with cushions 3a (two being shown in Fig. 2 spaced 180 apart) in the usual manner; and cylinder 3 is also provided with tucking blades tib al-ternating with the cushions 3a, said tucking blades being adapted to start the oentral fol'd of the paper and enter it between thetfolding clamp- 55 ing jaws 4a, 4b hereinafter referred-to. The blades 3b are inset in recesses in the periphery of the cylinder 3 and comprise metallicstrips of general rectangular cross-section as shown in Fig. 3, each having on theirouter faces a pointed longitudinal rib terminating substantially at the trated a folder which embodies the essentials of periphery of the cylinder 3, the side walls or flanks of the ribs being shaped or formed on the arcs of circles to cooperate with the rounded ends of the folding jaws 4a, 4b in a rolling manner as the parts rotate in order that there will be nof slippage of thejaws on the folded paper as the'*cylinde1- 3- and jaws move into and out of contactto grip the paper therebetween. l

The web or webs W are led from between the 'rolls I, la over a'suitable guide, indicated at lg, andto 'andbetween the cutting cylinders 2 and 3' but instead of the pins usually employed on the-edge of cylinder'3to engage the leading end of the web we provide sets of grippers 5 (Figs. 2-,' B and 4) 'at opposite sides of the cylinder3 pivoted 'on brackets 30 (Fig. 4) on the ends'of cylinder 3.. These grippers 5 are adapted to engage the side edges of the leading end of the web-"W lying on the cylinder 3 and bind it against theperiphery of the cylinder as indicated in Fig. 4, andcause theweb to travel around with the cylinder 3 to-the point at which it shoul'dbe discharged. I v. I

Grippers 5 are located at diametrically opposite points on the cylinder 3 and. slightly in rear of the cushions 3a so that they will engage the forward edge ofthe web, adjacent the point at whichit is severed by the knife 2a,-and they do not release the web until the forward edge of the previously severed paper has been carried around approximately by cylinder 3. Then the related tucker .bladex3b starts-the central. fold in the paper P and enables ,the devices 4a and 4b to grasp the paper and carryit, as indicated in dotted lines (Fig. 1), to the point of discharge. The grippers 5 are operated'by means'of cams 6 which are provided with cam grooves Badengaged by rollers So on the inner ends of the grippers 5; The cam grooves 6a are so shaped that the grippers 5 will be opened and closed at the proper times. "The cams 6 may be fixedly attached to the side frames 20 of the folder as indicated in the drawings. The gripper fingers 5 may be provided with adjustable end pieces 5b" (Fig. 4) attached thereto by' screws 50, which end pieces can be adjusted outwardly or inwardly of the cylinder 3 if desired so that the grippers can engage webs W of different widths. H

The folding clamping jaws comprise a casting '4 of general rectangular shape (Fig. 5) mounted on a shaft 41' journaled in frame members 28 opposite the cylinder 3, and parallel with shaft of cylinder 3. The side edges of casting 4 form fixed jaw members 4a having rounded ends as shown adapted to conform with the rounded under surfaces of the ribs of the tucker blades 3b when contacting therewith as shown in Fig. 2. Opposite the jaw members 4a are movable jaw members 411 which are keyed'on rock shafts 3c] journ-aledi in opposite sides of the casting 4 adjacent the inner ends of fixed jaws 4a. The rock shafts 4c are provided with crank arms id on one end which carry rollers or pins engaging a cam groove 1a in a cam adjustably attached to one of the side frames 28. The cam groove 1a. is so formed that the jaws 4b are closed'upon; the upper faces of the central folds of the paper as it is tucked past the jaws Act by the blade 32)! on cylinder 3 (when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2), the jaws 4a, 4b picking the paper at the fold from the cylinder 3 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the jaws being subsequently opened in time to deposit the folded sheet upon delivery tapes 8 running over rollers 8a and 8b in the usual manner. One of the folded papers is indicated at P in Fig. 2; and it will be seen that the papers P are delivered fold first.

Since the flanks of the tucker blade 31) and the ends of the gripper jaws 4w, 4! are rounded, the same mesh when in operative contact in much the same manner as a gear tooth and its mating space, the impinging surfaces being formed as rolling curves. This construction prevents any wiping action on the paper either by the tucker or the jaws; in fact the tucker 3b rolls into contact with jawda, and then jaw 4b closes on the paper, then the tucker rolls out of contact with the jaws which still grip the folded edge of the paper as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1,.the jaws holding said folded edge until reaching the delivery position, at which point the jaws open and drop the folded sheet directly on the belts 8.

The cam 1 is vertically adjustably mounted on the side frame 20 by means of a screw ls tapped through a bracket 23 on the frame, and by adjusting the cam I the position at which the jaws 4b are closed and opened can be varied to suit the thicknesses of the papers to be grasped by said fingers since raising or lowering the cam 1 causes the high part of the cam groove Ia to swing the movable jaw 4b a little closer or further away from the fixed jaw 40. while the jaws are closing on the paper.

To compensate for any discrepancy in the folding of the paper and to maintain even lengths with the fold in the center of the paper, the cutting cylinder 2 may be provided with the usual means for advancing or retarding knife 2a in relation to the cushions 3m in cutting cylinder 3.

The delivery belts 8 are driven by a worm on the shaft of roller 8a meshing with a worm attached to a stub shaft 9 journaled in a bracket 22 on the adjacent side of frame 20 and carrying a bevel gear 9b, meshing with a beveled gear 26 on the end of the shaft of cylinder 3 as indicated in Fig. 1. Any other suitable drive might be employed. The belts 8a may be automatically tensioned by a weighted roller 8 journaled in arms 8g pivoted on a cross-rod 8h, as indicated in the drawings.

Stripping fingers R may be provided to insure the stripping of the folded paper from the jaws 4a and 4b and direct it properly onto the belts 8. As shown, the strippers R are shaped at their upper portions approximately to an are parallel with but greater than the radius of the periphery of cylinder 3, which curvature extends to a point practically on the center line of the cylinder 3 and shaft 4x. Below this point the strippers are curved in a reverse direction on an arc lessthan the radius of the ends of the gripper jaws 4m, 41). The upper portions of the strippers tend to keep the tail end of the sheet from flapping on cylinder 3 and also guides the folded edge of the sheets to the delivery belts 8 as it is released by the jaws 4a, 4b. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5 the jaws 4a, 4b have slots 4;; formed therein to accommodate the strippers R.

Power can be applied to the shaft of cylinder 2 by any suitable means, not shown, and the various cylinders and folding jaws may be driven therefrom in proper relative speed and time by any suitable gearing. As shown the shafts of cylinder 3 and jaw casting 4 are provided with intermeshing gears 3g and 4g respectively, so that they rotate in unison at the same peripheral speed but in opposite directions, and the gear 3g meshes with a gear 2g on the shaft of cylinder 2. On the opposite end of the shaft of cylinder 2 is a larger gear 2h which meshes with a small pinion l2h on a stud I2, and on said stud, fast to pinion I2h, is a gear 122) which meshes with a gear Is on the shaft of the adjacent cylinder la; and

gear Is meshes with a similar gear I t on the shaft of cylinder l. The gearing should be such that the parts are all driven at the proper time and speed and in the proper direction.

In operation the longitudinally folded web W is directed by the former F between pinch rolls l and la. and then over guide lg to and between the cylinders 2 and 3, and its leading edge will be grasped by the grippers 5 on cylinder 3 just in rear of the cushion 3a (see Fig. 2) and the webis carried around on cylinder 3 for about one half of a revolution, and then the web is severed by the knife 20. and coacting cushion 311; but just prior to this severance the leading edge of the next section of the web is grasped, just in rear of the knife, by the other set of grippers 5, and

the cycle is repeated.

The severed portion of the web (or paper) is carried around cylinder 3 until its center is directly opposite fingers 4a. and 41) at the time the web is severed as above described; and at that moment the center of the severed paper is pushed outward by the related tucker 3b on cylinder 3 to and between the related folding jaws 4a and 41) on casting 4, and simultaneously said jaws are closed upon the center of the paper;

and simultaneously the fingers 5 holding the leading edge of the paper release it, thereby permitting jaws 4a, 4b tocarry the paper on and around to the point at which it is to be delivered onto the delivery belts 8. At this point the jaws 4a, 4b are operated to release the folded paper and enable it to be carried outwardly by belts 8.

We claim:

1. In a folding mechanism having male and female cutting cylinders, the female cutting cylinder being provided with diametrically disposed tucker bars adapted to engage the center of a severed sheet carried by the cylinder, a rotatable member adjacent the cylinder, clamping jaws carried by said member adapted to grip the center of the cut sheet on the cylinder when in position opposite the tucker bar and withdraw the sheet from the cylinder and deliver it folded end first; and means for adjusting the gripping action of the jaws on the tucker bar.

2. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 1, means for adjusting the point of contact between the tucker bar and jaws.

3. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said adjusting means adjusting the point of contact between the tucker bar and jaws.

4. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said member rotating synchronously with the female cutting cylinder; one clamping jaw being fixed and the other jaw movable with respect tothe 75 fixed jaw; a relatively fixed cam for actuating the movable jaw; and said adjusting means comprising an adjustable support for said cam.

5. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said member rotating synchronously with the female cutting cylinder and having diametrically opposed fixed jaws; a movable jaw cooperating with each fixed jaw; a relatively fixed cam for actuating both movable jaws; and said adjusting means comprising an adjustable support for said cam.

6. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 1, strippers cooperating with the rotatingmember and cylinder, said strippers having portions lying adjacent the cylinder and portions lying within the arc of swing of the outer ends of the jaws.

'7. In a web severing and folding mechanism, male and female cutting cylinders; means for feeding a web onto the female cutting cylinder to cause same to lie on a. substantial portion of the surface thereof in advance of the web severance; means for holding the leading end of the web to the cylinder at the moment of severance; the female cutting cylinder being provided with diametrically disposed tucker bars located in position to come opposite the center of a severed sheet carried by the cylinder, a rotatable member adjacent the cylinder, and clamping jaws carried by said member adapted to grip the center of the sheet when in position opposite the tucker bar and withdraw the sheet from the cylinder and deliver it folded end first.

8. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 7, and means whereby said holding means are caused to release the sheet when the sheet is engaged by the jaws.

9. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 7, means for adjusting said holding means longitudinally of the cylinder to suit various widths of webs.

10. In a folder; a cylinder having a tucker blade; means for feeding a web tothe cylinder; means for severing the web; and jaws for gripping the severe-d sheet at a point adjacent the tucker blade, and removing the sheet from the cylinder and delivering it folded end foremost; and means for adjusting the gripping action of the jaws on the tucker blade.

11. In combination with a folder as set forth in claim 10, means for adjusting the point of contact between the tucker blade and jaws.

12. In a folder as set forth in claim 10, said adjusting means adjusting the point of contact between the tucker blade and jaws.

13. In a folder as set forth in claim 10, means for clamping the leading end of the web to the cylinder, and releasing the severed sheet when it is engaged by the gripping jaws.

14. In a folder as set forth in claim 10, means for clamping the leading end of the web to the cylinder, the clamps being adjustable longitudinally of the cylinder to suit various widths of webs, and means for releasing the clamps after severance of the sheet and when the sheet is engaged by the gripping jaws.

15. In a folder, a cylinder having a tucker bar, sheet gripping means comprising a rotatable member adjacent the cylinder; clamping jaws carried by the member; means for actuating the jaws to cause same to grip and fold the sheet along the bar as the cylinder and member rotate, the jaws retaining the grip on the sheet until released by said means at the delivery point to deliver the sheet folded end foremost, and means for adjusting the action of the jaws on the tucker bar.

16. In a folder as set forth in claim 15, strippers whereby the folded sheet is cleared of the jaws when released thereby.

17. In a folder as set forth in claim 15, means for adjusting the point of contact between the tucker bar and jaws.

18. In a folder as set forth in claim 15, said member rotating synchronously with the cylinder, one clamping jaw being fixed and the other movable; a relatively fixed cam for actuating said movable jaw; and said adjusting means comprising an adjustable support for said cam.

19. In a folder, a cylinder having a tucker bar, sheet gripping means comprising a rotatable member having a fixed jaw member adapted to contact one flank of the tucker bar; a pivoted jaw member cooperating with the fixed jaw member and adapted to contact with the other flank of the-tucker bar; and cam means for actuating the pivoted jaw member to cause the jaws to grip the sheet at opposite sides of the blades as the cylinder and member rotate, the jaws retaining the grip until released by said cam means at the delivery point; and means for adjusting the action of the jaws on the tucker bar.

20. In a folder as set forth in claim 19, said adjusting means shifting the cam.

21. In a folder as set forth in claim 19, strippers whereby the folded sheet is cleared of the jaws when released thereby.

22. In a folder as set forth in claim 19, means for adjusting the cam means to control the point of contact between the tucker bar and jaw members.

23. In a folder, a cylinder having a tucker bar having rounded flanks; sheet gripping means comprising a member rotating synchronously with the cylinder and having a fixed jaw member having a rounded end adapted to make a rolling contact with the lower rounded flank of the tucker bar; a pivoted jaw member on said member cooperating with the fixed jaw member and having a rounded end adapted to make a rolling contact with the upper rounded fiank of the tucker blade; and cam means for actuating the pivoted jaw member to cause the jaws to grip the sheet at opposite sides of the bar as the cylinder and member rotate, the jaws retaining the grip until released by the cam means at the delivery point; and means for adjusting the action of the jaws on the tucker bar.

24. In a folder as set forth in claim 23, said adjusting means shifting the cam.

25. In combination with a folder as set forth. in claim 23, strippers cooperating with the cylinder and rotating member, said strippers having their upper portions lying adjacent the cylinder, and their lower portions lying within the arc of swing of the outer ends of the jaws.

26. In combination with a folder as set forth in claim 23, means for adjusting the cam means to control the point of contact between the tucker blade and jaw members.

GODFREY H. SCHMIDT. HERBERT C. BEHRENS. 

